Closing Costs Selling a House in Gretna, LA: What Sellers Pay

By Andrew Rodriguez & Tony Bertucci

The closing costs selling a house in Gretna can surprise owners who only looked at the sale price. By the time the act of sale is signed, a seller may have paid an agent commission, a share of the title and closing fees, part of this year’s property taxes, the mortgage payoff, any recorded liens and whatever repairs or credits the buyer asked for. This guide walks through each one for a Gretna or Jefferson Parish sale, then explains how selling directly to Bertucci Investment Group works differently.

We are a local team buying houses across Gretna and the rest of Jefferson Parish. Asking questions does not commit you to anything.

Listing commissions

If you list with a real estate agent, the commission is a major line on a seller’s closing statement. The rate is negotiated in your listing agreement, and many sellers also agree to pay part or all of the buyer’s agent fee. Read the agreement closely, since some add administrative or transaction fees.

Title and closing fees

Every Louisiana sale runs through a closing attorney, notary or title company. They search the Jefferson Parish public records, prepare the act of sale and closing documents, record the sale and pay off what is owed from your proceeds. Sellers commonly pay their share of closing fees, document preparation, release recording and wire charges. Which side pays each fee depends on the purchase agreement and local custom, so ask for an itemized estimate before you sign. Our Louisiana closing costs breakdown explains these fees statewide.

Prorated property taxes in Jefferson Parish

Outside Orleans Parish, Louisiana property taxes are billed in arrears, meaning you pay for the current year near the end of it. According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, tax notices are normally mailed during the last week of November and become delinquent if not paid by December 31. Because this year’s bill usually has not been paid when you close, the closing attorney typically splits the year’s taxes by the share of the year each party owns the house, and the seller credits the buyer for the seller’s portion.

Houses inside city limits also carry a separate City of Gretna tax bill, which the city’s Finance Department collects. Any unpaid past-year bill is typically paid from your proceeds, with interest or penalties.

Mortgage payoff

Your remaining mortgage balance is not a fee, but it comes off the top. The closing agent orders a written payoff statement from your lender showing principal, interest through the closing date and any fees. If you are behind, it can include late charges and foreclosure costs.

Liens and judgments

Before closing, the title search pulls anything recorded against the property in Jefferson Parish: judgments, contractor liens, code enforcement liens, unpaid tax liens and old mortgages that were paid but never formally released. Generally they must be paid or released before the buyer gets clear title, and the payoff usually comes out of your proceeds. If you know about a judgment or lien, tell your buyer and closing agent at the start.

Repairs and buyer concessions

On a listed sale, the buyer’s inspection often turns into a repair request. Roofs, wiring, plumbing, foundation settling and termite damage are common items on older West Bank houses. You can make the repairs, offer a credit at closing, lower the price or let the buyer walk away. Some buyers also ask the seller to pay toward their closing costs. Each concession reduces what you take home.

Inherited houses and succession costs

If you are selling a parent’s house, we are sorry for your loss, and you do not need every answer today. In Louisiana, heirs generally need to complete a succession, which ends in a judgment of possession or, for some smaller estates, a small succession affidavit, before they can sell. Costs can include attorney fees, court and recording costs, and the expenses of keeping the house insured, secured and powered while the paperwork moves along. A Louisiana succession attorney can tell you which path fits your family. Our guide to selling an inherited house in New Orleans and Metairie explains more.

How selling to Bertucci Investment Group is different

When you sell to us, you are selling directly to the buyer. That changes several of the costs above:

• No agent commission. There is no listing agent on a direct sale to us, so there is no commission to pay.
• As-is, with no repairs. You do not fix anything, clean out the house or answer an inspection repair list. Take what you want to keep and leave the rest.
• A written cash offer. You get the offer in writing, so you can review it with your family, attorney or anyone you trust before deciding.

Some items stay the same in any sale: your mortgage payoff, recorded liens and your share of prorated property taxes still appear on the closing statement. Ask us which closing fees each side pays, and we will spell it out in writing. You can read more about how we buy houses.

Gretna seller closing costs FAQ

Who pays closing costs when selling a house in Gretna?

Both sides pay certain costs. The purchase agreement and local custom decide who pays which fee. Sellers commonly pay any agent commission, their share of title and closing fees, the mortgage payoff, recorded liens and their portion of prorated property taxes. Ask for an itemized estimate before you sign.

How are Jefferson Parish property taxes handled at closing?

Jefferson Parish property taxes are billed in arrears. The Sheriff’s Office normally mails notices in the last week of November, and they become delinquent if not paid by December 31. At closing, the current year’s taxes are usually prorated, and the seller credits the buyer for the part of the year the seller owned the house. Houses inside Gretna city limits also have a separate city tax bill.

Do I pay a real estate commission if I sell my Gretna house to BIG?

No. A sale to Bertucci Investment Group is a direct sale with no listing agent, so there is no agent commission. Your mortgage payoff, any liens and your share of prorated taxes still appear on the closing statement, and we will put in writing which closing fees each side pays.

Can I sell a Gretna house that has a lien or judgment on it?

Often, yes. Liens and judgments recorded in Jefferson Parish are usually paid from the sale proceeds or released at closing. The title search will find them, but telling your buyer and closing agent early helps avoid delays.

Do I have to make repairs before selling to BIG?

No. We buy houses as-is. You do not need to make repairs, clean out the house or respond to an inspection repair list. Take what you want to keep and leave the rest.

We inherited a house in Gretna. What costs should we expect?

We are sorry for your loss. Families usually need to complete a Louisiana succession before selling, which can involve attorney fees and court and recording costs, along with insurance, utilities and taxes while the house waits. A Louisiana succession attorney can explain your options, and we are glad to talk whenever you are ready.

Talk with a local Gretna team

Andrew Rodriguez and Tony Bertucci handle every purchase personally. To compare a direct sale with the costs of listing, request a written cash offer or call 504-920-4747. You can also read our Gretna seller Q&A or visit our Gretna cash home buyer page.